Ciri's Fate in Witcher 4: Dev Response Explored

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's role as the protagonist in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about the game's compatibility with current-generation consoles. Read on for the latest news.

Witcher 4 Development Insights from the Devs

Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Controversial Choice?

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt with Ciri. He admitted the decision was "controversial for some" due to Geralt's popularity in previous titles.

While expressing his own fondness for Geralt and understanding fan concerns, Weber defended the choice, stating it's an opportunity to explore exciting new narratives and character development for Ciri, a storyline already hinted at in the novels and Witcher 3. The decision, he stressed, wasn't recent but a long-term strategy.

Weber further justified the decision by highlighting Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in previous installments, calling Ciri's central role a natural progression. This shift, he explained, opens up avenues to explore the Witcher universe from a fresh perspective.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that all will be revealed in due course, suggesting the game will clarify Geralt's fate and the fates of other characters following the events of Witcher 3. She emphasized that fan concerns stem from passion for the series and that the game itself will ultimately provide the best answer.

However, Geralt isn't entirely absent. His voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that he will feature, albeit in a supporting role, alongside new and returning characters. (See our related article for more details!) Our dedicated Witcher 4 article provides further information and updates.

Current-Gen Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

In a separate December 18th Eurogamer interview, director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber discussed current-gen console compatibility, but offered no specifics. Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, stating their intention to support PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, but declined to elaborate on details.

He further suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "benchmark" for their visual goals, implying it doesn't represent the final game's graphics perfectly, but offers a glimpse of what to expect, similar to the Game Awards showcase.

A New Development Approach

CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview a revised development approach for Witcher 4, aiming to avoid a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch. This involves developing on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure better cross-platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console releases are likely, although supported consoles haven't been confirmed.

While remaining cautious about specifying supported platforms, the developers reassured fans that they are striving for broad compatibility, targeting both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.